Slot machine

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a slot machine which awards a prize based on a unified symbol to be displayed across a plurality of symbol display areas formed by divided symbols. Scrolling display of symbol rows is started on reels  41  through  49  according to the start of a game, and after a predetermined time elapses, nine in total of the divided symbols are stopped and displayed in symbol display areas  31  through  39 , and particularly, when a unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed, a prize based on the kind of the formed unified symbol is awarded to a player in addition to a prize based on the kind and number of the divided symbols displayed.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-309043 filed on Nov. 15, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slot machine which awards a prize based on a combination of symbols being arranged, and more specifically, to a slot machine which awards a prize based on formation of a unified symbol to be displayed across the plurality of symbol display areas by divided symbols.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, in a slot machine as a kind of gaming machine, a game is started in response to insertion of gaming media such as coins into the gaming machine, variable display of symbol rows in a predetermined area of the gaming machine is performed and stopping display is performed after a predetermined time elapses, and based on a combination of the stopped symbols, a prize is awarded.

Generally, it is judged whether a combination which causes a prize to be awarded is displayed depending on whether a symbol of the same kind (for example, “CHERRY” or “7”) is arranged along a preset payline. Conventionally, it is also allowed that a prize is paid out based on a combination that is not along the payline.

For example, in the specifications of U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,102 and No. 6960133, a slot machine which displays 3×15, that is, 15 in total of symbols by using video reels or mechanical reels is described. In this slot machine, when a game is started, the reels rotate and symbols in the respective rows arranged vertically start varying by interlocking with each other, and after a predetermined time elapses, according to stop of the rotation of the reels, three symbols are stopped and displayed in each row. Then, when the symbols are stopped and displayed in a combination including a predetermined number or more of symbols of the same kind, a prize is awarded. Further, in the conventional slot machine, a prize according to the payline and a prize according to the number of displayed symbols are both awarded.

In the above-described conventional slot machine, whichever of the video reels or mechanical reels are used, one symbol is stopped and displayed in one symbol display area. The symbols stopped and displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas are independent from each other, and the combination of the displayed symbols does not newly form a symbol.

An object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine which newly forms a symbol by the combination of the symbols displayed in the symbol display areas and awards a prize based on the formed symbol, so that a prize can be awarded under new conditions different from those for conventional prizes based on the payline or the number of symbols displayed while using the same variation control of the symbols as conventionally, and the gaming amusement is further improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(1) A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a controller which controls gaming progress; and a display which includes a plurality of symbol display areas and can display one unified symbol across at least two or more of the symbol display areas, wherein the controller displays divided symbols obtained by dividing the unified symbol by a predetermined division number in the symbol display areas, and awards a prize when the unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed.

(2) In the slot machine of the present invention, in the construction described in (1) above, the display includes: reels which perform scrolling display of the plurality of symbols including divided symbols, and performs stopping display of any one of the symbols in the symbol display area, as many as the predetermined division number.

(3) In the slot machine of the present invention, in the construction described in (1) above, the predetermined division number by which the unified symbol is divided into the divided symbols is set to the same number as the number of the symbol display areas, and the unified symbol is displayed across all the symbol display areas.

(4) A slot machine of the present invention includes: a controller which controls gaming progress; and a display which includes a plurality of symbol display areas and can display one unified symbol across at least two or more symbol display areas, wherein the controller displays divided symbols obtained by dividing the unified symbol by a predetermined division number in the symbol display areas, awards a first prize when a predetermined or more number of the divided symbols are displayed on the plurality of symbol display areas, and awards a second prize higher than the first prize when the unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas.

(5) In the slot machine of the present invention, in the construction described in (4) above, the display has reels as many as the predetermined division number, each of which performs scrolling display of a plurality of symbols including the divided symbol, and performs stopping display of any one of the symbols in the symbol display area.

(6) In the slot machine of the present invention, in the construction described in (4) above, the predetermined division number by which the unified symbol is divided into the divided symbols is set to the same number as the number of the symbol display areas, and the unified symbol is displayed across all of the plurality of symbol display areas.

(7) A slot machine of the present invention includes: a controller which controls gaming progress; and a display which includes a plurality of symbol display areas and reels each of which performs scrolling display of a plurality of symbols and performs stopping display of any one of the symbols in the symbol display areas, and can display one unified symbol across at least two or more symbol display areas, wherein the controller performs scrolling display of a plurality of symbols including divided symbols obtained by dividing the unified symbol by a predetermined division number by using the reels, and performs stopping display of any one of the symbols in the symbol display areas, awards a first prize when a predetermined number or more of the divided symbols are displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas, and awards a second prize higher than the first prize when the unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols stopped and displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas.

(8) In the slot machine of the present invention, in the construction described in (7) above, the predetermined division number by which the unified symbol is divided into the divided symbols is set to the same number as the number of the symbol display areas, and the unified symbol is displayed across all of the plurality of symbol display areas.

In the slot machine of the present invention, a prize is awarded when a unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas, so that a prize can be awarded under new conditions different from those for conventional prizes based on the payline or the number of symbols displayed while using the same variation control of the symbols as conventionally. Therefore, without greatly changing the construction of the conventional slot machine, the gaming amusement can be improved.

Additional objects and advantage of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by unit of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principals of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a characteristic portion of a slot machine of an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the slot machine of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list of unified symbols to be displayed on the symbol display unit of the lower display in the slot machine of the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing kinds of divided symbols to be displayed on the symbol display unit of the lower display in the slot machine of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the symbol display unit of the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example when displaying divided symbols on the symbol display unit;

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example when displaying divided symbols on the symbol display unit and newly forming a unified symbol by the divided symbols;

FIG. 8 is a payout table showing prizes to be paid out to a player based on a combination of symbols displayed along a payline;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the slot machine of the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a main control processing program in the slot machine of the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a main gaming processing program in the slot machine of the embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a payout table of a slot machine of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A slot machine of the present embodiment (for example, slot machine 1) includes: a plurality of symbol display areas which display symbols (for example, symbol display areas 31 thorough 39); and a controller (for example, controller 40) which displays, in the plurality of symbol display areas, divided symbols obtained by dividing a unified symbol (for example, unified symbol 26) to be displayed across at least two or more symbol display areas by a predetermined division number, and awards a prize when the unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas.

According to the slot machine constructed as described above, a prize is awarded when a unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas, so that a prize can be awarded under new conditions different from those for conventional prizes based on the payline or based on the number of symbols displayed while using the same variation control of the symbols as conventionally. Therefore, without greatly changing the construction of the conventional slot machine, the gaming amusement can be greatly improved.

A slot machine of this embodiment awards a first prize when a predetermined number or more of the divided symbols (for example, divided symbols 25) are displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas (for example, symbol display areas 31 through 39), and awards a second prize higher than the first prize when the unified symbol (for example, unified symbol 26) is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas.

According to the slot machine constructed as described above, when a unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas, a prize higher than a prize based on the number of symbols displayed is awarded, so that without requiring a special game such as a bonus game, an opportunity to obtain a higher prize can be given by only the normal game, so that the player's incentive to play the game can be increased.

A slot machine of the present embodiment further performs scrolling display of a plurality of symbols including divided symbols (for example, divided symbols 25) by using the reels (for example, reels 41 through 49), awards a first prize when a predetermined number or more of the divided symbols are displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas (for example, symbol display areas 31 through 39), and awards a second prize higher than the first prize when the unified symbol (for example, unified symbol 26) is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas.

According to the slot machine constructed as described above, when a unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas after the rotation of the reels, a prize higher than a prize based on the number of symbols displayed is awarded, so that an opportunity to obtain a higher prize can be given by only the normal game using the reels, so that the player's incentive to play the game can be increased.

The slot machine of the present embodiment further includes: reels (for example, reels 42 through 49) which perform scrolling display of the plurality of symbols including divided symbols (for example, divided symbols 25), and performs stopping display of any one of the symbols in each of the symbol display areas (for example, symbol display areas 31 through 39), as many as the predetermined division number.

According to the slot machine constructed as described above, a unified symbol is newly formed by using the divided symbols displayed on the reels as many as a division number of the unified symbol, so that a symbol with a larger size can be displayed on the display by a variety of effects using all reels.

In the slot machine of the present embodiment, the division number by which the unified symbol (for example, unified symbol 26) is divided into the divided symbols is set to the same number as the number of the symbol display areas (for example, symbol display areas 31 through 39), and the unified symbol is displayed across all the symbol display areas among the plurality of symbol display areas.

According to the slot machine constructed as described above, a unified symbol is newly formed by divided symbols displayed in all symbol display areas after the rotation of the reels, so that by combining more divided symbols, a symbol with a larger size can be displayed on the display.

Hereinafter, the slot machine of the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment thereof with reference to the drawings. Herein, the slot machine relating to the embodiment described below is a so-called video slot machine which includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and performs gaming by displaying images of various symbols on the display device.

The slot machine of the present invention includes, as conditions for awarding a prize, in addition to a case where a predetermined number or more of symbols of the same kind are arranged on the display, a case where a symbol is newly formed by a combination of a plurality of symbols on the display.

For example, in FIG. 1, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine which has nine reels 41 through 49 on the display, and has one symbol display area for each of the reels 41 through 49. When a game is started in the slot machine of FIG. 1, scrolling display of the symbol row is performed on each of the reels 41 through 49. Then, when a predetermined time elapses, the reels 41 through 49 stop rotating in a predetermined order, and one symbol is stopped and displayed on each of the symbol display areas 31 through 39. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, when a “SUN” symbol to be displayed across all symbol display areas 31 through 39 is newly formed by the combination of the nine symbols stopped in the respective symbol display areas 31 through 39, a prize based on the formation of the “SUN” symbol is awarded.

First, a general construction of the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described based on FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment.

The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is composed of a cabinet 2, a top box 3 set on the cabinet 2, and a main door 4 provided on the front face of the cabinet 2.

On the front face of the top box 3, an upper display 5 is provided. Herein, the upper display 5 consists of a generally known liquid crystal display and displays a gaming method and a payout table.

On the other hand, on the entire face of the main door 4, a lower display 6 is provided. Herein, the lower display 6 consists of a generally known liquid crystal display and includes a symbol display unit 7 including 3×3 symbol display areas 31 through 39. The symbol display unit 7 consists of reels 41 through 49 arranged 3×3, and on each of the reels 41 through 49, a symbol row arranged as predetermined is scrolled and displayed, and after a predetermined time elapses, one symbol is stopped and displayed in each of the symbol display areas 31 through 39. As a result, nine symbols at maximum are displayed according to the progress of the game as described later, and based on a combination of the displayed symbols, a predetermined prize is paid out to the player. The number of reels may be 3 or 5, and furthermore, the number of symbols to be displayed is not limited to 9.

On the front face of the lower display 6, a touch panel 11 is provided, and by operating the touch panel 11, a player can input various instructions.

Further, on the lower display 6, a credit number display unit 8 and a payout number display unit 9 are provided. On the payout number display unit 8, the number of credits that the player currently has is displayed. On the payout number display unit 9, an amount of a prize to be awarded when the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the symbol display unit 7 is a predetermined winning combination is displayed as a payout number.

On the lower side of the lower display 6, a control panel 15 on which a plurality of buttons for inputting instructions relating to gaming progress by a player, a coin receiving slot 16 which receives coins as gaming media to the inside of the cabinet 2, and a bill insertion slot 17 are provided.

On the control panel 15, a start button 18, a change button 19, a CASH-OUT button 20, a 1-BET button 21, and a MAX-BET button 22 are provided. The start button 18 is an operating unit for inputting instructions for starting scrolling display of symbol rows on the reels 41 through 49. The change button 19 is an operating unit to be used for requesting staff of the game arcade to change. The CASH-OUT button 20 is an operating unit for inputting an instruction for paying-out coins corresponding to the number of credits that the player has (one credit corresponds to one coin) to a coin tray 29 from a coin payout opening 28 or inputting an instruction for paying-out a ticket with a barcode.

The 1-BET button 21 is an operating unit for accepting an instruction for betting (making a bet of) one credit of the credits that the player has for the game. The MAX-BET button 22 is an operating unit for accepting an instruction for betting a maximum number of credits (in this embodiment, 50 credits) that are allowed to be bet for one game of the credits that the player has. As the BET button, other various BET buttons such as a 3-BET button can be provided.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, as gaming media, coins and bills or electronic value information (credits) corresponding to the coins and bills are used. However, the gaming media applicable to the present invention are not limited to these, and for example, medals, tokens, electronic money, or tickets can also be used.

Subsequently, symbols to be displayed on the symbol display unit 7 of the lower display 6 when gaming will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

Herein, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, unified symbols and divided symbols are used as symbols to be displayed on the symbol display unit of the lower display 6. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list of unified symbols to be displayed on the symbol display unit 7 of the lower display 6 in the slot machine of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing kinds of divided symbols to be displayed on the symbol display unit 7 of the lower display 6 in the slot machine of this embodiment.

The unified symbol is a large-sized symbol to be displayed across the symbol display areas 31 through 39, and is formed by nine divided symbols stopped and displayed on the respective symbol display areas 31 through 39. There are ten kinds of unified symbols (“CHERRY”, “HEART”, “MOON”, “STAR”, “SUN”, “SMILE”, “1 BAR”, “2 BAR”, “3 BAR”, and “7”) as shown in FIG. 3, and when a unified symbol is formed by divided symbols, in addition to a normal prize based on the kind of the divided symbols and the number of the symbols stopped and displayed, a prize based on the kind of the unified symbol formed is awarded.

On the other hand, the divided symbols are small-sized symbols obtained by equally dividing the unified symbol into three vertically and horizontally. On each of the reels 41 through 49, 10 kinds of divided symbols obtained by dividing, respectively, 10 kinds of unified symbols are scrolled and displayed, and any one kind of the divided symbols determined according to internal lottery is stopped and displayed in each of the symbol display areas 31 through 39. Then, when a predetermined number or more of the divided symbols of the same kind are stopped and displayed as shown in FIG. 4, a prize (first prize) based on the kind of the symbols and the number of the symbols stopped and displayed is awarded.

Next, the symbol display unit 7 of the lower display 6 on which the above-described symbols are displayed will be described with reference to FIG. 5 through FIG. 7. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the symbol display unit 7 of the lower display 6 of the slot machine relating to this embodiment. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are front views showing examples of the divided symbols displayed on the symbol display unit 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, the symbol display unit 7 of this embodiment consists of the reels 41 through 49 arranged 3×3. The reels 41 through 49 have symbol display areas 31 through 39, respectively, each for displaying one divided symbol on each of the reels 41 through 49 when the reels are stopped rotating. Herein, when a game is started in the slot machine 1, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, one divided symbol 25 (9 in total of the divided symbols 25) is displayed on each of the symbol display areas 31 through 39.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, as described above, a game is performed by using the 10 kinds of divided symbols obtained by dividing 10 kinds of unified symbols shown in FIG. 3 and blanks (blank symbols). Winning is won when a combination of a predetermined number or more of the divided symbols of the same kind is displayed on the symbol display areas 31 through 39 regardless of their arrangement, and a prize based on the kind of the symbols and the number of symbols displayed is paid out. When a unified symbol is formed by the nine divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39, a prize corresponding to the kind of the unified symbol is further awarded. When a bonus combination including six or more of the divided symbols of “7” is displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39, a bonus game is executed as a prize continuously after finishing the normal game.

For example, FIG. 6 shows a case where divided symbols 25 of “7” are stopped and displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 35, 37, and 38, and the divided symbols 25 of “SUN” are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area 36 and 39. As contents of a prize to be awarded in this case, 400 credits based on the simultaneous display of six divided symbols 25 of “7” are paid out.

On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows a case where divided symbols 25 of “7” are stopped and displayed in all symbol display areas 31 through 39. As contents of a prize to be awarded in this case, 2600 credits totalizing 1600 credits based on the simultaneous display of nine divided symbols 25 of “7” and 1000 credits based on the formation of the unified symbol 26 of “7” are paid out.

In this embodiment, when a predetermined number shown in FIG. 4 of divided symbols of the same kind are displayed, the game is won and a prize is awarded, however, it is also allowed that, for example, when one divided symbol of “7” and three divided symbols of “CHERRY” are displayed, the game is won and a prize is awarded.

Regarding the prize, it is also allowed that a payline is set on the symbol display areas 31 through 39 and when a combination of symbols stopped along the payline is the predetermined combination of FIG. 8, the prize is paid out. Further, the prizes shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 may be both paid out.

Subsequently, game progress procedures of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail. First, when the start button 18 is depressed after acceptance of a bet, internal lottery processing for determining divided symbols to be displayed on the symbol display unit 7 is performed. Subsequently, when a predetermined time elapses since the depression of the start button 18, the reels 41 through 49 start rotating and scrolling display of the symbol rows is performed, and after a predetermined time elapses, nine in total of the divided symbols are stopped and displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39. Then, contents of a prize are determined based on the combination of the divided symbols stopped and displayed and the kind of the unified symbol, and the prize is awarded.

Next, a construction of a control system of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the control system of the slot machine 1 is basically composed of a mother board 60 and a gaming board 50. The mother board 60 and the gaming board 50 constitute a controller 40 which executes a control program (FIG. 10 and FIG. 11) described later, etc.

First, the gaming board 50 will be described. The gaming board 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 55, and a boot ROM 52 connected to each other by an internal bus, a card slot 53S for a memory card 53, and an IC socket 54S for a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54.

The memory card 53 consists of a nonvolatile memory, and is a recording medium on which a game program and a game system program (hereinafter, referred to as a game program, etc.) are recorded. The game program recorded on the memory card 53 includes a lottery program. This lottery program is a program for determining symbols to be displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39.

The memory card 53 contains a symbol sortition table for selecting symbols to be displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39 by lottery. Herein, the symbol sortition table is a table in which a predetermined random number range is associated with the ten kinds of divided symbols and blanks to be stopped and displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39. First, divided symbols to be stopped and displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39 are selected by lottery based on the symbol sortition table, and thereafter, based on the combination of the determined divided symbols, a prize to be awarded to the player is determined.

As the symbol sortition table, a table in which a predetermined random number range is associated with a prize to be awarded to the player may also be used. In this case, first, a prize to be awarded to the player is selected by lottery based on the symbol sortition table, and thereafter, a combination of the divided symbols that corresponds to the determined prize is selected by the main CPU 61.

Subsequently, the mother board 60 will be described. The mother board 60 is formed of a general-purpose mother board available on the market (a printed circuit board on which basic components of a personal computer are mounted), and includes a main CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, and a communication interface 64.

The ROM 62 consists of a memory device such as a flash memory and stores permanent data such as programs of BIOS, etc., to be executed by the main CPU 61. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 61, predetermined peripheral devices are initialized, and import processing of the game program, etc., stored in the memory card 53 is started via the gaming board 50.

The RAM 63 stores data and programs to be used when the main CPU 61 operates. The RAM 63 can store various programs of an authentication program to be readout via the gaming board 50, the game program, etc., and various information such as the number of credits that the player currently has.

The communication interface 64 is a communication device for communicating with a server, etc., installed in the game arcade via a communication line.

To the mother board 60, a main body PCB 70 and a door PCB 80 described later are connected by USB, respectively. Further, to the mother board 60, a power supply unit 65 is connected. When power is supplied to the mother board 60 from the power supply unit 65, the main CPU 61 of the mother board 60 is started. Further, power is supplied to the gaming board 50 via a PCI bus and the CPU 51 is started.

To the main body PCB 70, a hopper 66, a coin detector 67, a graphic board 68, a speaker 69, a touch panel 11, and a bill insertion slot 17, etc., are connected.

The graphic board 68 controls image display on the upper display 5 and the lower display 6 based on a control signal from the main CPU 61. For example, on the lower display 6, scrolling display and stopping display of the divided symbols are performed according to the rotation of the reels 41 through 49 to the symbol display unit.

On the other hand, to the door PCB 80, a control panel 15, a reverter 16S, a coin counter 16C, and a cold cathode tube 81 are connected. On the control panel 15, a start switch 18S corresponding to the start button 18, a change switch 19S corresponding to the change button 19, a CASH-OUT switch 20S corresponding to the CASH-OUT button 20, a 1-BET switch 21S corresponding to the 1-BET button 21, and a MAX-BET switch 22S corresponding to the MAX-BET button 22 are provided. Each switch outputs an input signal to the main CPU 61 when a corresponding button is operated by a player.

Subsequently, a main control program to be executed in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the main control program.

It is assumed that in the slot machine 1, the memory card 53 has already been inserted into the card slot 53S of the gaming board 50, and the GAL 54 has been attached to the IC socket 54S.

First, when the power supply switch of the power supply unit 65 is turned on (power is applied), the mother board 60 and the gaming board 50 are started, respectively, and authentication reading processing of Step (hereinafter, abbreviated to S) 1 is executed. In this authentication reading processing, the mother board 60 and the gaming board 50 performs processings different from each other, concurrently.

That is, in the gaming board 50, the CPU 51 reads out a preliminary authentication program stored in the boot ROM 52, and according to the readout preliminary authentication program, performs preliminary authentication to confirm and prove that the authentication program has not been falsified before importing it into the mother board 60.

On the other hand, in the mother board 60, the main CPU 61 develops compressed data installed in the BIOS into the RAM 63 by executing the BIOS stored in the ROM 62, and executes the BIOS developed in the RAM 63 and diagnoses and initializes various peripheral devices.

Thereafter, the main CPU 61 reads out the authentication program stored in the ROM 55, and performs authentication to confirm and prove that the game program, etc., stored in the memory card 53 inserted in the card slot 53S has not been falsified. When this authentication processing is normally finished, the main CPU 61 writes the game program, etc., that were subjected to authentication (were authenticated) on the RAM 63. Subsequently, the main CPU 61 performs import processing for reading out payout ratio setting data stored in the GAL 54 via the gaming board 50, and writes the readout payout ratio setting data on the RAM 63.

After the above-described processings are performed, the main CPU 61 ends the authentication reading processing.

Then, at S2, the main CPU 61 reads out the game program, etc., authenticated in the authentication reading processing of S1 from the RAM 63 and executes it, and performs main gaming processing. By executing this main gaming processing, a game is performed in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The main gaming processing is repeated during supply of the power to the slot machine 1.

Next, sub-processing of the main gaming processing of S2 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a main gaming processing program in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. Each program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is stored in the memory card 53, and is developed in the RAM 63 of the controller 40 and executed by the main CPU 61.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, at S11, the main CPU 61 performs predetermined initial setting and then performs start acceptance processing for accepting coin insertion and setting the number of bets. At this time, in the initial setting, processing such as clearing of data of an item set in a predetermined data area (for example, a payout coin counter, etc.) is performed. In the start acceptance processing, a player performs a bet operation for setting the number of bets in a current game to any of 1 to 50 bets by inserting coins or using the 1-BET button 21 or the MAX-BET button 22.

Next, at S12, the main CPU 61 judges whether the start button 18 has been inputted. It is judged whether the start button 18 has been inputted based on whether an input signal has been received from the start switch 18S.

Then, when the start button 18 is not inputted (S12: NO), the process returns to the start acceptance processing (S11) again. At this time, operations for correcting the number of bets, etc., can be performed. On the other hand, when the start button 18 is inputted (S12: YES), the number of bets set based on an operation on the 1-BET button 21 or the MAX-BET button 22 is subtracted from the number of credits that the player has and is stored in the RAM 63 as bet information.

Thereafter, at S13, the main CPU executes symbol lottery processing for selecting symbols to be displayed in the respective symbol display areas 31 of the symbol display unit 7 by lottery. In detail, the main CPU 61 samples random numbers from a predetermined random number range by executing a random number generating program included in the lottery program stored in the RAM 63, and based on the sampled random numbers and the symbol sortition table, determines nine symbols to be respectively displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39 (that is, the stop positions of the reels 41 through 49) among the 10 kinds of divided symbols.

Further, at S14, the main CPU 61 starts rotating the reels 41 through 49, and performs scrolling display of symbol rows arranged on the respective reels 41 through 49 at a predetermined speed. Then, after a predetermined time elapses, the reels 41 through 49 are stopped rotating in a predetermined order according to a determined effect pattern, and one symbol is displayed for each of the reels 41 through 49 (see FIG. 1).

Subsequently, at S15, the main CPU 61 judges whether the combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39 is a specific combination which causes a certain prize to be paid out.

Then, when the combination that causes a prize to be paid out is judged (S15: YES), the process transfers to S16. On the other hand, when it is judged that the combination is not the combination that causes a prize to be paid out (S15: NO), the main gaming processing is ended. To continuously start the next game, the processings of S1 and subsequent steps are performed again.

At S16, it is judged whether a unified symbol has been formed by the combination of the nine divided symbols stopped and displayed in the respective symbol display areas 31 through 39, that is, whether divided symbols of the same kind are stopped and displayed in all symbol display areas 31 through 39.

As a result, when it is judged that a unified symbol has not been formed (S16: NO), at S17, a normal award based on the kind and number of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39 is calculated (see FIG. 4).

On the other hand, when it is judged that a unified symbol has been formed (S16: YES), at S18, in addition to the normal award based on the kind and number of divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39, a special award based on the kind of the formed unified symbol is also calculated (see FIG. 3).

Next, at S19, by displaying contents of a prize based on the combination of the lower display 6, the main CPU 61 notifies the player of the contents of the prize. For example, in FIG. 6, based on display of a combination of seven divided symbols 25 of “7”, the characters “Win 400” that notify awarding of 400 credits as a prize are displayed. In FIG. 7, based on display of nine divided symbols 25 of “7” which compose a combination forming a unified symbol 26 of “7”, the characters “Win 2600” that notify awarding of 2600 credits in total as a prize are displayed.

Subsequently, at S20, it is judged whether the combination of symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39 by the reel rotation processing of S14 is a bonus combination. Herein, the bonus combination is a combination of six or more divided symbols of “7” being displayed.

As a result, when it is judged that the bonus combination has been displayed (S20: YES), the process transfers to bonus game processing (S21). Various modes are considered as a bonus game, however, herein, a free game is described as the bonus game. Herein, the free game is a game in which the same game as the normal game is played a predetermined number of times without betting, and in the bonus game processing of S21, the reels 41 through 49 are controlled to rotate and stop a predetermined number of times, and a prize acquired during this control is paid out to the player by payout processing of S22 described later. As conditions for transferring to the bonus game, a predetermined number or more of predetermined symbols are displayed, or the bonus game appears suddenly as a mystery, and various conditions can be set. As a sortition table to be used during the free game, a sortition table set so that the amount to be paid out is increased than in the normal game may be used.

Then, at S22, the main CPU 61 pays out an award calculated at S17 or S18 as a prize. In detail, in the payout processing of S22, when a unified symbol is not formed by the combination of the divided symbols, a prize (first prize) based on the kind and number of divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39 is paid out. Further, when a unified symbol is formed by the combination of the divided symbols, a prize (second prize) totalizing a prize based on the kind and number of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39 and a special prize based on the kind of the unified symbol formed is paid out. At this time, by depressing the CASH-OUT button 20, coins corresponding to the number of credits can be paid out (one credit corresponds to one coin), or a ticket with a barcode can be paid out.

As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when starting a game, the number of bets in a current game bet by a player's operation by using the 1-BET button 21 or the MAX-BET button 22 is accepted as any of 1 to 50 bets (S11), and thereafter, the reels 41 through 49 start rotating, and after a predetermined time elapses, nine in total of the divided symbols are stopped and displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39 (S14). As a result, particularly when a unified symbol is formed by the combination of the divided symbols displayed, in addition to a prize based on the kind and number of divided symbols displayed, a prize based on the kind of the unified symbol formed is awarded to the player (S22), so that a prize can be awarded under new conditions different from those for conventional prizes based on the payline or based on the number of symbols displayed while using the same variation control of the symbols by using the reels as conventionally. Therefore, without greatly changing the construction of a conventional slot machine, its gaming amusement can be greatly improved.

When a unified symbol is formed by the combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas, a prize higher than the prize based on the number of symbols displayed is awarded, so that without playing a special game such as a bonus game, an opportunity to obtain a higher prize can be given by only the normal game, and the player's incentive to play the game can be increased.

In addition, a unified symbol is newly formed by divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas as many as the division number of the unified symbol, so that by combining more divided symbols in various effects using all reels, a larger unified symbol can be displayed on the display.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and of course, the present invention can be altered and varied in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in this embodiment, when a unified symbol is formed by the combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39, in addition to a normal prize based on the kind and number of the divided symbols, a prize based on the formed symbol is awarded, however, it is also allowed that the contents of the normal prize are changed. For example, based on the kind of the unified symbol formed as shown in FIG. 12, the amount of the normal prize is increased two times through five times.

When a unified symbol is formed by the combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 31 through 39, the payout table shown in FIG. 4 may be changed to a payout table of higher prizes.

In this embodiment, a unified symbol is formed by a combination of nine divided symbols displayed in the respective symbol display areas 31 through 39, however, the number of divided symbols to form the unified symbol can be 2 or more. For example, it is allowed that the divided symbols are two divisions of the unified symbol, and a prize is awarded when the unified symbol is formed by the divided symbols displayed in two symbol display areas adjacent to each other.

Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a slot machine using normal mechanical reels. In this case, divided symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels, and based on results of internal lottery, the reels are controlled to stop. Then, when the combination of the divided symbols stopped and displayed on the plurality of mechanical reels forms a unified symbol, a prize is awarded.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A slot machine comprising: a controller which controls gaming progress; and a display which includes a plurality of symbol display areas and can display one unified symbol across at least two or more of the symbol display areas, wherein the controller displays divided symbols obtained by dividing the unified symbol by a predetermined division number in the symbol display areas, and awards a prize when the unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed.
 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the display includes: reels which perform scrolling display of the plurality of symbols including the divided symbols, and performs stopping display of any one of the symbols in each of the symbol display areas, as many as the predetermined division number.
 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined division number by which the unified symbol is divided into the divided symbols is set to the same number as the number of the symbol display areas, and the unified symbol is displayed across all the symbol display areas.
 4. A slot machine comprising: a controller which controls gaming progress; and a display which includes a plurality of symbol display areas and can display one unified symbol across at least two or more symbol display areas, wherein the controller displays divided symbols obtained by dividing the unified symbol by a predetermined division number in the symbol display areas, awards a first prize when a predetermined or more number of the divided symbols are displayed on the plurality of symbol display areas, and awards a second prize higher than the first prize when the unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols displayed in the symbol display areas.
 5. The slot machine according to claim 4, wherein the display has reels as many as the predetermined division number, each of which performs scrolling display of a plurality of symbols including the divided symbol, and performs stopping display of any one of the symbols in the symbol display area.
 6. The slot machine according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined division number by which the unified symbol is divided into the divided symbols is set to the same number as the number of the symbol display areas, and the unified symbol is displayed across all of the plurality of symbol display areas.
 7. A slot machine comprising: a controller which controls gaming progress; and a display which includes a plurality of symbol display areas and reels each of which performs scrolling display of a plurality of symbols and performs stopping display of any one of the symbols in the symbol display areas, and can display one unified symbol across at least two or more symbol display areas, wherein the controller performs scrolling display of a plurality of symbols including divided symbols obtained by dividing the unified symbol by a predetermined division number by using the reels, and performs stopping display of any one of the symbols in the symbol display areas, awards a first prize when a predetermined number or more of the divided symbols are displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas, and awards a second prize higher than the first prize when the unified symbol is formed by a combination of the divided symbols stopped and displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas.
 8. The slot machine according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined division number by which the unified symbol is divided into the divided symbols is set to the same number as the number of the symbol display areas, and the unified symbol is displayed across all of the plurality of symbol display areas. 